It's the Santa SPLASH! More than 100 divers dressed as Father Christmas brave the December chill as they leap into a Somerset lake to raise money for the RNLI

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More than 100 divers dressed as Father Christmas braved the December chill to leap into a lake for charity.

The annual festive dive took place earlier today at the Vobster Quay Inland Diving Centre in Radstock, Somerset.

The world record-holding Santa Splash, which takes place to raise money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), had previously managed to get 161 divers into the water. 

Santa Splash: More than 100 divers dressed as Father Christmas braved the December chill to leap into a Somerset lake in aid of charity

The event aims to get as many sponsored divers and swimmers dressed in their finest festive outfits onsite as possible

It is thought that the temperature at the surface of the water is around 48F (9C) but at 20 metres deep, where the divers gather, it is nearer to 46F (8C)

It aims to get as many sponsored divers and swimmers dressed in their finest festive outfits onsite as possible.

Most who attended the charity dive went dressed in full red Father Christmas suits which they paired with elastic white beards and Santa hats. 

In previous years the event successfully raised more than £10,000 for the charity which, at the time, was put towards its life-jacket campaign.

It is thought that the temperature at the surface of the water is around 48F (9C) but at 20 metres deep, where the divers gather, it is cooler and nearer to 46F (8C). 

The RNLI is the largest charity that saves lives at sea around the coasts of the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man through the use of search and rescue, lifeguards and education. 

Divers previously beat the world record when they successfully managed to get a total of 161 divers in the water at the same time

Most who attended the charity dive went dressed in full red Father Christmas suits which they paired with elastic white beards and Santa hats

In previous years the event has successfully raised more than £10,000 for the charity which, at the time, was put towards its life-jacket campaign

The RNLI is the largest charity that saves lives at sea around the coasts of the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man through the use of search and rescue, lifeguards and education

Meanwhile crowds in Weymouth, Dorset, also got into the festive spirit today as they set out on the Christmas Pudding Santa Run. 

Two runners dressed as Christmas puddings were chased down by more than 200 runners along a five kilometre course across the town's beach.

This year the pair running were a male and female team. 

Meanwhile crowds in Weymouth, Dorset, also got into the festive spirit today as they set out on the Christmas Pudding Santa Run

Two runners dressed as Christmas puddings, this year a male and female team, were chased down by more than 200 runners along a five kilometre course across the town's beach

One man even dressed his dog in festive attire for the occasion as two men wore morph-style Father Christmas suits

If the runners do not catch the puddings they each receive their own as they cross the finishing line.

The annual event brings runners from all over the South of England to the wintery coast for a fun morning event that also raises money for charity.

Many took the opportunity to get some fresh winter air with their dogs while some even ran along the sandy stretch with pushchairs.

The annual event brings runners from all over the South of England to the wintery coast for a fun morning event that also raises money for charity

Many took the opportunity to get some fresh winter air with their dogs while some even ran along the sandy stretch with pushchairs

If the crowd of runners do not catch the puddings they each receive their own as they cross the finishing line - but this year the puddings were unsuccessful